Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.Mahatma Gandhi This memorial website was created to remember our dearest James Frederick Cuite who was born in New York East Rockaway, NY on September 20, 1947. He was raised with three brothers and three sisters. He was a middle child. The Cuite family lived on a block where extended family members also lived. James grew up playing not only with sisters and brothers but also cousins and neighbors. James loved the water and worked as a lifeguard during High School. He left home at age sixteen to join the Navy. He was first stationed in Tennessee then in Vietnam. After serving a tour of duty, he was honorably discharged. He returned to the U.S and settled in Northern California near two brothers and his older sister. He worked for many years at PG&E as a lineman. He loved people, loved to travel and loved to laugh. At age 40 he married. Soon after he became a father of his pride and joy, his beautiful baby girl Veronica Jamie Cuite. After two years he divorced and moved back to New York. He lived near the rest of his family. He visited Veronica often until she was able to travel on a plane to him. Thereafter Veronica traveled to New York at least yearly. She was always his priority. James was a loving and caring father. As a result of a lifestyle change, he became closely connected with a community of caring people in Suffolk County, New York. In April 2000 he met the woman who would become his wife. After a few months James introduced her on the phone to Veronica. That summer Veronica came for a visit and became more aquainted with her future stepmother. James, Suzanne, and Veronica spent the next few weeks taking little journeys and hanging out. James had a funny way of saying what was on his mind. On the way home after putting Veronica on the plane back to California, he laughed and said "So I don't plan on spending thousands of dollars on a Wedding!" A few weeks later, he proposed to Suzanne after securing a beautiful new house. James and Suzanne moved in to their new home and were married August 17, 2002. They had a big beautiful wedding, full of family and friends. Veronica was a bridesmaid. James and Suzanne had a beautiful life together. Then a year and a half after the wedding James became suddenly ill. He was soon diagnosed with metasticised pancreatic cancer. He jumped into treatment like he jumped into life. He used to say "the cancer and I are in a battle, I want to live and so does my cancer. My cancer dosen't know that my death will kill it also" He kept a positive frame of mind and laughed as much as he could. During the last few months of his life, he got inspired by the song "How Far is Heaven" and loved to listen to Marvin Gaye. On March 30, 2005 James passed on to Heaven to join other loved ones there. He will live forever in our memories and hearts.
